While the British metal legends aren’t the only high-profile absentees, they’re surely one of the easiest fits for the Rock Hall’s criteria: “the influence and significance of the artists’ contribution to the development and perpetuation of rock ’n’ roll.” The band is generally recognized for having pioneered approaches to stage shows, album artwork, merchandise and developing loyalty among their its fan base.

During a question-and-answer session on his spoken-word tour of Australia recently, frontman Dickinson was asked if he thought Maiden should be inducted. “Absolutely,” he said, pausing afterward.

You can watch the moment below.

“I actually think the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an utter and complete load of bollocks, to be honest with you,” he continued. “It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock ’n’ roll if it hit them in the face. They need to stop taking Prozac and start drinking fucking beer.”

In 2014 Dickinson spoke of the way Maiden had impacted lives, admitting they were a “niche band” but adding that “our niche is quite big.” “If you're a rabid supporter of a football team and you believe passionately in that team, the fact that they have a couple of off seasons doesn't stop you supporting them," he explained. "As long as they maintain the integrity and don't take the piss. They can play appallingly as long as they're trying hard, and you'll forgive them. If they do it repeatedly over a period of years and then acquire a manager that makes everybody wear pink lipstick and a strange tutu then you may consider your allegiances.”

He slammed the mainstream media for failing to understand heavy metal. “The closest the art establishment ever came to embracing metal was punk," he noted.

"The reason they embraced punk was because it was rubbish and the reason they embraced rubbish was because they could control it. They could say, ‘Oh yeah, we're punk so we can sneer at everybody. We can't play our fucking instruments, but that means we can make out that this whole thing is some enormous performance art.’ Half the kids that were in punk bands were laughing at the art establishment, going: "What a fucking bunch of tosspots.’”